Discover the Complete List of 30+ Animals with Red Eyes

Red-eyed animals are some of the most captivating creatures to behold. While you may be used to seeing animals with brown or hazel eyes, red eyes can be a bit more disarming to see. While almost all mammals have brown eyes, some possess red eyes for various reasons. Additionally, there are plenty of birds, reptiles, and fish that also possess red eyes. Below is a list of animals with red eyes and details about each of them and their eyes. The list will be broken apart by type of animal, with three to five examples under each. At the end of the article will be a comprehensive list of all 36 animals with red eyes. 

Birds with Red Eyes 

Red-Eyed Doves (Streptopelia semitorquata)

The red-eyed dove is a large species of pigeon. These birds are usually about 12 inches long and have pale brown wings. They are often found and distributed throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. The only places that these birds do not inhabit are deserts. These birds boast a beautifully bright red iris, surrounded by pink skin around the eye. 

Eared Grebes (Podiceps nigricollis)

Also known as the black-necked grebe, the eared grebe is the most populous grebe on Earth. Usually measuring between 11 and 13 inches, these birds can weigh between 0.5 and 1 pound. Eared grebes feature dark red eyes above their thin, black bill. During the breeding season, their feathers also change to a reddish-brown color. You can find these birds across Europe, Asia, North America, and Africa. 

Night Herons (Nycticorax nycticorax) 

Reaching heights of up to 26 inches, the night heron is often recognized by its long legs. They often walk along the shorelines to find their prey. Their prey consists of fish, frogs, and insects. The night heron has red eyes to help it hunt. Their red eyes allow them to gather more light during hunting, which is at dawn, dusk, and in the darkness. This and their slender bills make them expert hunters for catching fish and additional prey. 

Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis)

Another animal with red eyes is the snail kite. These birds have broad wings and triangular-shaped tails. They feature dark coloring and live near freshwater marshes and lakes. True to their name, the snail kite feeds on mainly freshwater apple snails. Due to their chosen prey, they need to hunt in areas that have open, clean water with easy access to the snails. Although males and females of this species may differ in their plumage color, they both have red eyes. 

Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa) 

Unlike the snail kite, only male wood ducks have red eyes. The female wood duck features a brown eye color. However, the male wood duck showcases his red eyes and red bill to match all year long. This duck is native to North America and is known for perching in trees. Along with the males having red eyes, the wood duck has the largest eyes of the duck species. These eyes allow them to navigate through trees in their habitat easily. 

Reptiles and Amphibians with Red Eyes 

Red-Eyed Tree Frog (Agalychnis callidryas) 

Although the red-eyed tree frog sports brilliant colors, it should not be confused with the poison dart frog. This amphibian inhabits Central American rainforests and is not poisonous. Experts believe this frog has its coloring and large red eyes as an evolution tactic to ward off predators. Their eye coloring helps them to stand out and potentially appear threatening to would-be predators. When they sleep, they close their eyes and cover them with their green legs so that they completely blend in with their forest surroundings. 

Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) 

True to its name, the eastern box turtle inhabits the eastern side of the United States. This hinge-shelled turtle is able to fully retract its head and neck into its shell when it is in danger. When its head is out of its shell, you can see its eyes. Male eastern box turtles have red eyes, while the females typically have brown. Similar to their eyes, the male turtles usually have brighter and more distinct coloring on their bodies than the females. 

Satanic Leaf-Tailed Gecko (Uroplatus phantasticus) 

This reptile’s scientific name translates to “fantastical creature with a flat tail.” The tail of this gecko truly resembles a leaf, complete with veins and discoloration of a typical leaf. Besides their tails, another interesting physical feature is their bright red eyes. In addition to their intense coloring, another fun fact about the satanic leaf-tailed geckos is that they do not have eyelids. Instead, they must periodically lick their eyelids to keep them moist. 

European Adder (Vipera berus)

Another animal that has incredible red eyes is the European adder. This red-eyed snake is the most common venomous snake in Europe, but it inhabits various locations around the globe. The adder can adapt to many different climates and is the only snake species that can inhabit the Arctic Circle. The European adder is a snake species that is sexually dimorphic. That means that the different sexes of the same species have different forms and structures, including more than reproductive differences.  

Tree Viper (Trimeresurus stejnegeri) 

This snake goes by many names, some of which include Stejneger’s pit viper and Chinese green tree viper. These venomous snakes can grow up to 30 inches long and are easily recognized for their bright green scales and red eyes. The tree viper is often confused with the greater green snake. The easiest way to tell these two apart is by their eye color. If you see red eyes, you know it is the venomous tree viper; if you see black eyes, then it is the harmless greater green snake. 

Fish and Crustaceans with Red Eyes 

Peacock Mantis Shrimp (Odontodactylus scyllarus) 

While people do not know too much about the mantis shrimp, they do have a long fossil history record. Fossil records help researchers better understand some of the more complex features of the mantis shrimp, such as their eyes. The mantis shrimp has bright red eyes that allow them to see polarized light. Another surprising fact about these animals is that they are very strong for their small size. In fact, according to Harvard University, “mantis shrimp pack the strongest punch of any creature in the animal kingdom.” 

Rock Bass (Ambloplites rupestris) 

This medium-sized fish belongs to the sunfish family and lives in lakes and ponds in North America. These fish have dark red eyes and large mouths. Also, they are able to slightly alter their coloring to help them blend into their environment. Experts believe that the rock bass developed their red eye coloring to help them see better during the night time and in the dark waters. 

Red-Eyed Tetras (Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae) 

The next animal with red eyes on our list is the red-eyed tetra. The red eyes of this fish really stand out against the pale coloring of their scales. This fish is a popular choice for people’s aquariums because of their peaceful nature and schooling abilities. Red-eyed tetras are small, only reaching about 3 inches in length. If you choose to keep them in a tank, try to avoid keeping them with fish that are much larger than them so they avoid becoming a snack for the larger fish. 

Mammals with Red Eyes 

Albino Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) 

Albino rabbits have their red eyes due to a genetic mutation. They are sensitive to the sun, and their eyesight is not as great as their rabbit companions with black eyes. To be considered an albino rabbit, the rabbit must have white fur along with its red eyes. If you want an albino rabbit as a pet, the good news is they are just as wonderful as a pet as a regular rabbit. However, their outdoor time and exposure to sunlight need to be more carefully monitored. 

Albino Rats (Rattus norvegicus var. albinus) 

Similarly to the albino rabbit, the albino rat’s red eyes are very light-sensitive. According to studies, the severity of the rat’s eyes’ reaction to light is related to distance from the source of the light. Additionally, albino rats are the most frequently used type of rat in laboratory studies across the globe. They are also commonly kept as pets.

Albino Squirrel (Sciurus) 

While squirrels are a common animal for people to see, albino squirrels are much more rare. An interesting thing to distinguish here is the difference between the albino squirrel and the white squirrel. An albino squirrel will have the red eyes that typically accompany other albino animals. However, the white squirrel, which is similar in appearance, lacks the red eyes of the albino squirrel. The white squirrel is white because of a mutated gene from the common eastern gray squirrel. These squirrels have a condition called leucism, which is a reduction of all types of skin pigment. This differs from albinos, which scientists believe is caused when the squirrel is born without the proper genes to produce their needed amounts of melanin. Reduced amounts of melanin, or no melanin, affect the squirrel’s coloring and eyesight.

Summary of Animals with Red Eyes

Here is a summary of the animals with red eyes from the sections above. Below, you can find a comprehensive list of even more animals that have red eyes.

Comprehensive List of Animals with Red Eyes 

Birds with Red Eyes

• Red-Eyed Dove 
• Eared Grebes 
• Rosy-Billed Pochards 
• Red-Eyed Vireo 
• Red-Eyed Bulbul
• Night Heron
• Indian Golden Oriole 
• Spotted Towhee 
• Snail Kite
• Black-Shouldered Kite 
• Cinnamon Teal  
• Stygian Owls
• American Coot 
• Bronzed Cowbird 

Reptiles and Amphibians with Red Eyes 

• Red-Eyed Tree Frog 
• Eastern Box Turtle 
• Red-Eyed Crocodile Skinks 
• Satanic Leaf-Tailed Gecko 
• European Adder 
• Albino Corn Snake 
• O’Shaughnessy’s Dwarf Iguana 
• White-Lipped Island Pitviper 
• Tropical Flat Snake 
• Tree Viper 

Fish and Crustaceans with Red Eyes 

• Peacock Mantis Shrimp 
• Rock Bass 
• Red-Eyed Tetras 
• Red-Tail Dwarf Puffer Fish 
• Bluesied Wrasse 

Mammals with Red Eyes 

• Ring-Tailed Lemur 
• Albino European Hedgehog 
• Albino Rabbit 
• Albino Rats 
• Albino Wallaby 
• Albino Squirrel 
• Albino Ferret

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Dave Denby Photography/Shutterstock.com